10 Ways to Stay Motivated

RE-VISIT YOUR PAST - Think back to the last time you began an exercise program--did
you reach goal or did you fail? If you're heading in the same direction as previous
years, you've got yourself a pattern. Break it by figuring out what went wrong last
time. Was the exercise too intense? Was the diet too strict? Modify what you're
doing so that you can sustain your eating and exercise program for life.

GET REAL - Most people fail at their fitness goals because they're waiting
for something spectacular to happen. Know when to expect the spectacular? When you
least expect it. You may be frustrated that your body hasn't changed, but that's
no reason to quit. Remember that your body is on it's own schedule. If you're burning
more calories than you eat, you'll lose weight but you can't control when it happens.

GET PUMPED - Maybe it'll be difficult to replicate the excitement you felt
when you initially began your quest for a healthy life. But, you can get a little
more fired up by going back to your original goal and remembering why you set it
in the first place. What are you trying to accomplish? Remind yourself that what
you do today has everything to do with where you'll be in 6 months.

REWARD YOURSELF - It's surprisingly easy to get excited about exercise and
it's called shopping. Buy something that motivates you--a heart rate monitor or
a pedometer to track your workouts. Get an MP3 player and load it up with your favorite
tunes. Splurge a little on some high quality shorts or a snazzy wind jacket. Sometimes
that's all it takes to get back in your groove.

EXHAUST EVERY AVENUE - Before you quit, try everything you can to stay on
track. Sign on with a personal trainer, get a workout buddy, join a fitness group,
join a gym...try it all. If you've done that and you still want to quit, make it
a decision. Don't drift away from exercise without acknowledging it, say it aloud,
'I'm Quitting!' Saying those words may just steer you back to the gym--who wants
to be a quitter?

STOP WAITING FOR A MIRACLE - Some people think if they exercise long enough,
they'll wake up one day and suddenly LOVE exercising and eating healthy. While it
does get easier, you'll probably never be ecstatic about those 5 a.m. jogs. If you're
waiting for a shining moment of excitement, it ain't gonna happen. Stop waiting
for it-- you have to MAKE it happen and you'll have to do it all over again tomorrow.

FIND YOUR INSPIRATION - Every day is different. What motivated you yesterday
may not work today, so sift through what inspires you to find that one thing that
will get you out the door. It may be pants you want to fit into or competing with
your friend (he's working out--you don't want to fall behind, do you?). Work through
all the reasons you should workout until you find the one that works today.

OPEN YOUR MIND - Being bored is the perfect time to try something new. You'll
be more willing to try things you may have dismissed because they didn't fit within
your definition of exercise. It could be bellydancing, a latin dance class or that
spinning class at the gym. Or try something more mind/body like Pilates or yoga.
If what you're doing isn't working, it's time to find something that will.

TRACT YOUR PROGRESS - One simple way to stay motivated is to look back on
how far you've come. Keeping a simple calendar of the workouts you've done gives
you something tangible you can happily flip through, adding up all the days you
exercised. Plus, knowing you have to write your accomplishments down may give you
that extra push you need to get moving.

HAVE CONSEQUENCES - If your child doesn't do his homework, there are consequences.
The same should be true of sticking with exercise. If you don't do your workouts,
there should be a consequence. Have someone hold you accountable or take away something
you enjoy until you get back on track. Always have consequences to your actions.
If you don't, what's to stop you from quitting?